Santner backs Duffy as NZ's 'front man' for West Indies ODIs

Mitchell Santner has tipped Jacob Duffy to spearhead New Zealand's pace attack in the ODI series against West Indies, saying the seamer has earned the chance to be the "front man" of a bowling group missing a host of first-choice quicks.

Duffy, who missed New Zealand's recent Test tour of England due to paternity leave, returns for the five-match ODI series with Matt Henry, Will O'Rourke and Kyle Jamieson all rested following their heavy red-ball workloads. Duffy is the most experienced quick in a pace attack which also includes Nathan Smith, Kristian Clarke, uncapped Matt Fisher and Ben Lister, who was brought in to replace Ben Sears. “We’ve obviously seen how good he is over the last couple of years,” said Santner of Duffy on the eve of the first ODI in Providence.

He has taken his chances, but now he is the front man in this bowling unit. He's got a couple of young guys around him so he's going to be the main man here. "He's obviously pretty excited to play after a bit of time at home. “We’ve got five games in a short space of time and that’s going to be part of it as well – managing the workload of the bowlers and seeing how they pull up after games. It can be sticky and hot here and take a bit out of you so it could be a squad effort.\"

Duffy is fresh from the Caribbean after playing a successful IPL campaign where he was part of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru's title winning side. His last ODI was against West Indies in Hamilton in November 2025 but he has a good record in this format with 35 wickets from 19 matches at an average of 24.25 and an economy rate of 5.90. Now he will have to take the lead in a relatively inexperienced attack as New Zealand try to recover from a 2-1 series loss in Bangladesh.

Injuries and resting the fast bowlers had opened the door for others, and the tour also provided an opportunity for New Zealand to test their depth, said Santner.

“We’re going to be able to show the depth we have with a few injuries and guys unavailable and we’re excited with the group we have here,” he said. Covered and obviously seam and spin, we know we’re up against it. "They're very strong at home, the West Indies, and obviously used to these conditions.

New Zealand start the series in Providence, Guyana, where they play the first three ODIs before moving to Bridgetown, Barbados, for the last two ODIs. "West Indies is a great place to come," said Santner. "I suppose for every team, when you're away from home, that's always going to be the challenge and we know West Indies is a great place to come. “Conditions can change and we do pride ourselves on adapting pretty quickly to what’s confronting us. It's going to be no different this series. 

"Guyana can traditionally play a touch slower, but the lights might play differently, and then Barbados is a different kettle of fish as well. We pride ourselves on being able to adapt fairly quick to what’s in front of us. "One game at a time."